T-Mobile says iPhone Handoff will cost $5 per month, giving compatible customers a way to use one T-Mobile number across two iPhones. The feature arrives with iOS 27 and is aimed at people who regularly switch between a primary and secondary phone. Apple’s iPhone Handoff support guide says two phones need iOS 27 or later, […]
T-Mobile will charge customers $5 per month to use iPhone Handoff, an e-SIM feature that allows the same phone number to be used on two separate iPhones.
iPhone Handoff requires carrier support, and at launch, only T-Mobile users in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom users in Germany will be able to use it.
T-Mobile says customers can use their number across two compatible iPhone models and elect which phone is active at any given time. Features like calls, texts, data, mobile hotspot, Scam Shield, and T-Satellite will work on both devices with an eligible plan.
Apple is adding support for iPhone Handoff in iOS 27. It requires two iPhones running iOS 27 or later that are connected to Wi-Fi and signed into the same Apple Account with FaceTime, iMessage, and Messages in iCloud turned on. It can be turned on when activating a new iPhone or in the Settings app.
When iPhone Handoff is enabled, one iPhone serves as a main iPhone and the other iPhone is the secondary device that shares the same number. Moving between the main iPhone and secondary iPhone happens automatically when you unlock one of the devices.
A phone number can only be active on one iPhone at a time when using iPhone Handoff. Payment cards in the Wallet app and car keys can work across both iPhones, but Apple warns some Wallet items like transit passes, IDs, or corporate badges might only work on one iPhone at a time. iPhone Handoff also does not transfer an Apple Watch from one iPhone to another.
iPhone Handoff works with Dual SIM as long as both eSIMs are from carriers that support iPhone Handoff. Both eSIMs will switch simultaneously when you unlock your iPhone. Each eSIM has to be set up separately.
Once set up, iPhone Handoff remains activated until you contact your carrier to turn it off. More information can be found in Apple's support document for the feature.
iOS 27 is set to launch on Monday, September 14, and the new iPhone 18 Pro models will launch on Friday, September 18.
T-Mobile officially retired its 2G GSM network on August 3, 2026, marking the end of 2G service from all three major U.S. carriers. With AT&T having discontinued 2G in 2017 and Verizon following in 2020, devices that rely solely on the older standard—including the original 2007 iPhone — can no longer connect to any cellular network in the United States. The move also affects remaining smartphones, alarm systems, payment terminals, and other IoT devices still using 2G, though T-Mobile had given customers advance notice to upgrade or transition.
T-Mobile kept its 2G network active because it still had some legacy customers who were using it. Some customers visiting the United States and using international roaming carrier agreements for connectivity also needed 2G for voice calling, but T-Mobile worked with carriers globally to prepare for the end of its 2G network.
Customers who were still on T-Mobile’s 2G network were warned well ahead of time about the shutdown and given time to transition. Smartphones, alarm panels, payment terminals, and other IoT accessories that used 2G will no longer function.
AT&T ended support for 2G almost a decade ago in 2017, and Verizon stopped supporting 2G in 2020. Now that no carriers in the U.S. support 2G, legacy devices like the original iPhone will not be able to connect to any cellular network.
MacDailyNews Take: Time marches on!
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T-Mobile retired its 2G GSM network on Monday, August 3, which means all three major carriers in the United States have now ended 2G service.
T-Mobile kept its 2G network active because it still had some legacy customers who were using it. Some customers visiting the United States and using international roaming carrier agreements for connectivity also needed 2G for voice calling, but T-Mobile worked with carriers globally to prepare for the end of its 2G network.
Customers who were still on T-Mobile's 2G network were warned well ahead of time about the shutdown and given time to transition. Smartphones, alarm panels, payment terminals, and other IoT accessories that used 2G will no longer function.
AT&T ended support for 2G almost a decade ago in 2017, and Verizon stopped supporting 2G in 2020. Now that no carriers in the U.S. support 2G, legacy devices like the original iPhone will not be able to connect to any cellular network. The iPhone technically lost cellular support in 2017 when AT&T sunset its 2G network, and now the last workaround is gone.
All three carriers also ended support for 3G back in 2022, and have also abandoned early LTE iPhones without VoLTE support.
Apple has quietly shut down a popular workaround that let customers finance new iPhones through T-Mobile or Verizon while still receiving fully unlocked devices.
For years, savvy buyers exploited a quirk in Apple’s sales process. They could stack generous carrier promotions — like massive trade-in credits or bill credits — on installment financing through Apple’s website or stores, and walk away with an iPhone that was carrier-unlocked from day one. This allowed them to use the phone on any network, switch carriers mid-contract, insert international eSIMs while traveling, or even resell the device at a premium before paying it off.
That loophole is now closed for T-Mobile and Verizon customers. Starting recently, any iPhone financed through these carriers’ installment plans will remain locked to the carrier until the balance is paid in full. This brings T-Mobile and Verizon in line with AT&T’s long-standing policy.
How the Loophole Worked
Carriers frequently offer deep discounts to attract customers, such as $1,100 off select iPhone models. Previously:
• AT&T-financed phones bought via Apple were locked.
• T-Mobile and Verizon versions were delivered unlocked, even when financed through their respective Equipment Installment Plans or Device Payment Programs.
Buyers took full advantage by financing through Apple’s site, claiming the carrier promo, and ending up with a flexible, unlocked flagship phone. Some used it to jump ship to cheaper MVNOs, while others flipped the devices for profit.
Apple made the change without fanfare or press release. It was first spotted by users on Reddit’s r/tmobile subreddit and confirmed via an updated FAQ on Apple’s iPhone purchase pages. The new language states clearly:
“If you choose to finance an iPhone through the AT&T Installment Plan, T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, or Verizon Device Payment Program, your iPhone will be locked to the carrier until paid in full.”
Why Apple Made the Change
Apple has offered no official explanation. However, the timing suggests it was responding to abuse of the system—particularly resale of subsidized but unlocked phones. The change also likely pleases carriers, who want to ensure customers remain committed during promotional periods and installment terms.
Note for current buyers: There may be a temporary mismatch. Some checkout flows still indicate T-Mobile and Verizon phones as unlocked. Always double-check the fine print before completing a purchase.
Workarounds That Still Work
The policy shift only affects carrier-financed devices. You can still get an unlocked iPhone immediately by:
• Buying it outright (no financing).
• Financing through Apple Card Monthly Installments — these remain unlocked from activation.
• Purchasing directly from third-party retailers or carriers with full upfront payment.
Once a carrier-financed phone is paid off, it will unlock automatically per standard carrier policy.
MacDailyNews Take: This update reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to balance customer flexibility with carrier partnerships in a competitive wireless market. If you’re planning an upgrade soon, review your financing options carefully to avoid surprises.
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T-Mobile canceled some longtime subscribers' free-line promotions as part of a forced migration to new rate plans, spurring complaints from customers yesterday. T-Mobile admitted the problem and blamed it on technical errors that it is trying to fix.
The forced plan changes were controversial to begin with, particularly as many longtime users are being hit with price hikes of $6 per line. The unexpected loss of free lines for some of those users could raise prices by a much higher amount if the change isn't reversed.
There is good news, though. T-Mobile told Ars today that it was a mistake and that the company is working to fix the problem. Of course, it's not always easy for telecom customers to get the proper resolution even after a company admits to an error publicly. But given T-Mobile's statement today, we hope the firm will fix the problem for all impacted customers with as little hassle as possible.
T-Mobile is asking a New York court to rule that Broadcom was contractually obligated to continue supporting its VMware perpetual licenses.
In its complaint, T-Mobile said it has tens of thousands of virtual machines using VMware software across approximately 303,140 CPU cores. It also said that it was migrating off VMware but noted the time-consuming and technical challenges involved in migrating over 1,000 applications.
It filed its lawsuit, which was first reported by The Register today, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in August 2025 (PDF).
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